The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland

by Church of Scotland. General Assembly

Sess. 11. August 5. 1642.

Act anent contrary Oaths.

The Generall Assembly finding the inconvenience of contrary Oaths in trying of Adulteries, Fornications, and other faults and scandals, do therefore for eviting there of, discharge Synods, Presbyteries and Sessions, to take Oath of both parties in all time hereafter, Recommending to them in the mean time all other order and wayes of tryall used in such cases: And that there may be a common order and course kept in this Kirk of trying of publike scandals, The Assembly ordains the Presbyteries to advise upon some common order hereintill, and to report their judgements to the next Assembly.

Overtures anent Family Exercises, Catechising, keeping of Synods and Presbyteries, and restraint of Adulteries, Witch-crafts, and other grosse sins.

The Committee supplicates the Assembly,

I. To urge the severall Synods and Presbyteries, especially these of the North, that Family Exercise in Religion, visitation of the Churches, Catechising, keeping of the Presbyteriall and Provinciall meetings (both by Preaching and Ruling Elders) be more carefully observed.

II. That the Clerk at least subscribe every Book before it come to the Assembly, and that every Act be noted on the Margent, for a directory of expedition.

III. That the Assembly would seriously studie by all meanes and wayes how to procure the Magistrates concurrence to curb and punish these notorious vices which abound in the Land, especially in the Northern parts.

The Assembly approves the Overtures foresaids, and ordains them to be observed: and for the last, the Assembly being confident of [pg 137] the readinesse of the Judge Ordinar to restrain and punish these faults, Do therefore ordain all Presbyteries to give up to the Justice, the names of the Adulterers, incestuous persons, Witches and sorcerers and others guilty of such grosse and fearfull sins within their bounds that they may be Processed and punished according to the Laws of this Kingdom; and that the Presbyteries and Synods be carefull herein, as they will answer to the Generall Assemblies, And because that Witch craft, Charming, and such like proceeds many times from ignorance, Therefore the Assembly ordains all Ministers, especially in these parts where these sins are frequent, to be diligently Preaching, Cathichising, and conferring, to inform their people thereintill.